TM44 Air Conditioning Compliance Inspections

A TM44 Air Conditioning Report is a mandatory inspection required for air conditioning systems with a combined effective rated output of more than 12kW in commercial buildings throughout England and Wales. The inspection assesses the efficiency, condition and performance of your air conditioning system, helping building owners and occupiers reduce energy consumption, lower running costs and ensure compliance with current legislation and must be carried out by an accredited Air Conditioning Inspector.

During a TM44 inspection, an accredited energy assessor will review your air conditioning system, including its controls, maintenance, sizing and overall efficiency. Following the inspection, you’ll receive a TM44 Air Conditioning Report containing recommendations to improve performance, reduce energy usage and minimise operating costs.

A TM44 inspection can provide several benefits, including:

• Ensuring compliance with UK legislation.
• Improving the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system.
• Reducing electricity consumption and operating costs.
• Identifying opportunities to extend the lifespan of your equipment.
• Supporting your organisation’s sustainability and carbon reduction goals.
• Helping maintain a comfortable indoor environment for staff, customers and visitors.

Most commercial buildings, including offices, retail units, warehouses, industrial premises, healthcare facilities, schools and leisure buildings, may require a TM44 inspection if their air conditioning systems exceed the legal threshold.

If you own, occupy or manage a commercial building with air conditioning systems exceeding a combined cooling capacity of 12kW, you are legally responsible for arranging a TM44 inspection.

This applies to many types of commercial premises, including:

• Office buildings
• Retail stores and shopping centres
• Warehouses and industrial facilities
• Hotels and leisure centres
• Schools, colleges and universities
• Healthcare facilities
• Restaurants and hospitality venues

Even if your building has several smaller air conditioning units, they may exceed the 12kW threshold when combined.

Under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, most air conditioning systems with a combined effective rated output of more than 12kW must undergo a TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection at least every five years.

If significant alterations are made to your air conditioning system before the five-year period expires, it may be advisable to arrange a new inspection to ensure the report accurately reflects the current installation.

Keeping your TM44 certificate up to date demonstrates legal compliance and helps avoid unnecessary enforcement action.

No.

A TM44 inspection is an energy efficiency assessment rather than a maintenance service.

Regular servicing and planned preventative maintenance remain essential for keeping your air conditioning systems operating safely and efficiently. A well-maintained system will also typically perform better during a TM44 inspection.

For the best results, businesses should combine routine servicing with regular TM44 compliance inspections.

Yes.

Under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, qualifying air conditioning systems with a combined output greater than 12kW must undergo a TM44 inspection every five years.

Responsibility usually rests with the person who controls the operation of the air conditioning system, which may be the building owner, landlord, facilities manager or tenant depending on the lease agreement.

During the inspection, one of our accredited assessors will examine your air conditioning systems to evaluate their energy efficiency and operational performance.

The inspection typically includes:

• Reviewing system controls and operating schedules
• Assessing the condition and maintenance of equipment
• Checking system sizing against building requirements
• Inspecting filters, condensers and accessible components
• Reviewing maintenance records and F-Gas documentation where applicable
• Identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption

The inspection is non-invasive and is designed to minimise disruption to your business operations.

Failure to comply with TM44 Air Conditioning regulations can result in enforcement action by your local authority, including financial penalties.

In addition to potential fines, businesses may experience:

• Delays during commercial property sales
• Issues with lease negotiations
• Difficulties during compliance audits
• Increased energy costs caused by inefficient equipment

Maintaining an up-to-date TM44 inspection demonstrates good building management and helps ensure ongoing legal compliance.

Absolutely! A TM44 Air Conditioning Inspection can help businesses reduce operating costs by identifying ways to improve the efficiency and performance of their air conditioning systems.

While the primary purpose of a TM44 Report is to ensure compliance with UK legislation, it also provides practical recommendations that can lead to significant energy savings and lower maintenance costs over time.

A TM44 inspection may identify opportunities to:

• Improve the efficiency of your existing air conditioning system.
• Reduce electricity consumption and lower energy bills.
• Optimise system controls and operating schedules.
• Identify equipment that is oversized, underperforming or nearing the end of its useful life.
• Improve routine maintenance to maximise system performance.
• Extend the lifespan of your air conditioning equipment.
• Reduce your building’s carbon emissions and environmental impact.

Even small adjustments, such as improving temperature settings, upgrading controls or addressing maintenance issues, can result in noticeable savings over the life of the system. In many cases, the cost of implementing recommended improvements is quickly offset by reduced energy consumption and lower running costs.

For businesses operating multiple sites or large commercial buildings, the potential savings can be even greater, making a TM44 inspection a valuable investment rather than simply a legal requirement.

To provide an accurate and competitive TM44 inspection quotation, we’ll need a few details about your property and air conditioning systems.

If available, please provide:

• The property address or addresses if you have multiple sites.
• The number of air conditioning units installed.
• The make and model of each unit (if known).
• The cooling capacity (kW) of each system, if available.
• Whether the systems are split, VRF/VRV, packaged, or another type.
• The type of building, such as an office, retail unit, warehouse, school or healthcare facility.
• Whether previous TM44 inspection reports or maintenance records are available.

After your TM44 inspection, you’ll receive a comprehensive report detailing:

• The current efficiency of your air conditioning system
• Areas where energy is being wasted
• Recommendations for improving performance
• Advice on reducing operating costs
• Confirmation that your inspection has been completed in accordance with TM44 guidance

The recommendations are advisory rather than mandatory, but implementing them can significantly reduce your energy bills and extend the life of your equipment.